Month: February 2017

“I put that record on – girl you know what song.. And I let it play again and again” – Chris Stapleton

For this blog post I wanted to write a list of my 10 favourite albums from the last year or so. Some of these are older than one year but they have pretty much defined my playlist over the last 12 months (these are in no particular order):

I was lucky enough to attend the Australian leg of her Storyteller tour. It was by far the best concert I’ve ever been to – she’s an incredible performer. I even got to meet her! – Picture below (you’ll have to excuse my ‘deer in the headlights’ expression). If you’ve ever wondered what she is like in person, she’s very sweet & genuine. I walked out an even bigger fan!

Finally new music from Keith! This one sounds pretty different to his previous albums but every song is catchy as hell. I got to see him perform live in December last year and boy can he entertain a crowd!!

Hero – Maren Morris
Favourite Tracks:
– I Wish I Was
– I Could Use a Love Song

Maren is probably the artist that I am most excited about in all of country music. This album is honestly amazing – it lives in my car CD player and I listen to it daily. I’m so glad this artist is starting to be recognised!

Ok this one has only been released for 2 days but I have to include it. It is all I’ve listened to since the second it was released and I’m OBSESSED! Little Big Town never disappoint!

The Weight of These Wings – Miranda Lambert
Favourite Tracks:
– To Learn Her
– Vice

This album is an emotional rollercoaster. I first listened to it on the train on the way to work the morning it was released and I was laughing one minute, then crying my eyes out the next (yes, in public!). This is some of her most honest and raw work yet and you can always count on Miranda to make you feel something when you listen.

Natalie Hemby has penned some of my absolute favourite songs from some of my favourite artists. So to say I was excited by the release of her solo album is the understatement of the year. Every song on this album is incredible and I hope it gains some recognition in upcoming country music award ceremonies!

This album is a hell of a lot of fun! It has a country meets rock-n-roll feel to it. This is another one that I discovered through Spotify’s “Discover Weekly” playlist. I’m really hoping these guys will be around CMA Fest this year – I’m dying to see them perform live.

Black – Dierks Bentley
Favourite Tracks
– Why Do I Feel
– Black

Dierks has been a favourite of mine for a long time! This album is no exception. I like to put this on when I’ve got a long train trip ahead of me and just chill out. I would recommend this one to everyone!

Well that just about wraps it up! All of these albums and artists left a huge impression on me. If you’re looking for new music, give these albums a go! 🙂

“I got into Nashville early. Sleepy, hungry, tired and dirty. And on the steps of RCA I ate a stale, sweet roll. In the fountain at the hall of fame I washed my face and read the names in the walkway of the stars, down on Music Row” – Dolly Parton

Nashville, Tennessee downtown skyline and streets

A historic marker stands outside in RCA Studio B on Aug. 8, 2014 in Nashville, Tenn. With development putting a squeeze on Nashville’s famous Music Row, some in the music industry say its time to preserve the district’s character and the studios where the Music Citys iconic sounds were born. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

“I bet the fella on the aisle thought I was crazy cause I taped your picture to the seatback right beside me. Now I’ve got empty mini bottles fillin’ both our trays. I’m getting drunk on a plane” – Dierks Bentley

My first solo trip kicks off on 5th June when I head to Music City – aka Nashville!

I’m heading over there for CMA Fest 2017 and to say I’m excited is an understatement. I’m fairly sure this is literally all I’ve talked to any of my friends about since I booked my flights in November.

But ‘Flight Anxiety’ is real.

We’ve all seen that episode of The Simpsons where Marge freaks out on the plane. Literally me.

From the second I booked my flights I’ve had major anxiety about the whole long-haul flight situation (I hate flying, even small distances. This will be my first long-haul flight). Current worries:

What if I miss my flight?

When do I sleep on the plane?

What if I can’t sleep on the plane?

What if my bags get lost?

How do I check in to my flight?

What if I do it wrong?

How will I know where to go for my connecting flights in Dallas?

What if I get lost at the airport?

How do I go through customs?

I hope I don’t have to sit next to a sick person for 16 hours

What if my travel sim doesn’t work and I have no phone/internet?

Basically I’m just confused about the entire process of checking in and making sure my bags end up in the right place, both when boarding my initial flight and my connecting flight. I’ve never done it before.

I think its worse because I’m going alone & won’t have anyone I know to lean on.

Have to keep telling myself I’m going to an English speaking country so it’s not like I won’t be able to ask questions if I get stuck.

Hopefully by the time June 5th rolls around my worries will be behind me. We’ll see, I guess.

Does anyone else get major anxiety about this kind of stuff? Is this normal?

My spirit animal is a wolf because I like to be free & independent; but I’m also fiercely loyal to my pack! But when I’m drunk my spirit animal is a raccoon because I become sneaky and grabby and I steal things.

My biggest fears are: spiders, needles and tentacles

I am not a morning person. Or a midday person. Or a night person. I am not a person.

I hate the taste of pineapple, and it certainly does not belong on pizza. (if you are in favour of pineapple on pizza, leave now – your kind is not welcome here!)